Shropshire Star

Goalkeeping dilemma for the Bucks' D-Day

AFC Telford United manager Steve Kittrick has a D-Day dilemma when Bermuda goalkeeper Freddy Hall returns from international duty this weekend.

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Hall, who helped his country beat the Bahamas 8-0 on aggregate in a World Cup qualifier over two legs last week, has established himself as the Bucks No 1 since joining the club in October.

But recent signing James Montgomery, who joined on non-contract terms at the start of the month, has impressed the manager in the last week while covering for Hall.

And Kittrick has a decision to make as to who dons the gloves for the big Midlands derby clash at home to Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

It's a day of destiny as the Bucks aim to defy impending relegation from the Conference Premier.

The drop for Telford, who are 15 points from safety with five games remaining, would be confirmed if fifth-from-bottom Alfreton avoid defeat against Wrexham regardless of the Bucks' own result against Kidderminster.

Hall has played 21 league games for the Bucks this season – but Montgomery has shone in matches at Braintree, where he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win last Tuesday, and Dover, a 1-0 defeat on Saturday, in his absence.

Kittrick said: "James has only been with us for three or four weeks and he has come into the breach and done well. He has come from nowhere, played two important games and done nothing wrong.

"At 20-years-old, you can see his potential. He is one for the future, he made a couple of important saves on Saturday but Freddy has also been playing well.

"That is why he has been called up for his country. It speaks volumes that he has been called up to do that."

"James have come in there and proved that he is good enough to play at this level and Hall has gone and played for his country so they are two massive positives."